Soroka To Make First Leinster Start

Alex Soroka is make his starting debut for Leinster in their Pro14 game with Zebre at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi tomorrow.

Luke McGrath will once again captain the side, while Alex Soroka starts a game in the Guinness PRO14 for the first time after his debut off the bench against Glasgow Warriors.

Soroka, born in Ireland to Ukrainian parents is another product of the Leinster academy making his way through to the senior team.

Seán O'Brien and Tim Corkery are in line for their own debuts if introduced off the bench.

Academy player Max O'Reilly starts at full back, with Cian Kelleher making his 25th appearance on the right wing and Dave Kearney selected on the left.

In the centre, Cullen has selected Rory O'Loughlin and Jimmy O'Brien as his pairing for the second week in a row.

Captain McGrath is partnered at half-back by Harry Byrne for the trip to Italy.

In the pack, Peter Dooley, Dan Sheehan and Academy prop Thomas Clarkson start in the front row, with Ross Molony and Jack Dunne in the second row. It will be Dunne's first start of the season.

In the back row, Josh Murphy starts at blindside, with last week's Guinness Player of the Match Scott Penny at openside and Soroka wearing No 8.

The two potential debutants are named among the replacements, along with James Tracy, Marcus Hanan, Michael Bent, Devin Toner, Hugh O'Sullivan and Jamie Osborne.

USA-born O'Brien started out playing minis with Greystones RFC before going to school in Blackrock College where he played on the Junior and Senior cup teams. He has three Ireland U-20 caps and is currently studying Economics and Finance in UCD, where he also plays his club rugby.

While Denis Toner continues to edge ever closer to Gordon D'Arcy's all-time record Leinster Rugby appearance total of 261.

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